Telescoping writing implement

ABSTRACT

A telescoping writing implement that retracts the writing point when in the collapsed position. An external pen body is mechanically connected to a writing cartridge through at least one aperture in a guide tube. Movement of the external pen body downward draws the writing cartridge down inside the guide tube until the writing end of the writing cartridge is exposed and the connecting means such as a clip, screw or pin contacts the lower edge of the aperture. When the outer pen body is moved upward, it draws the writing cartridge with it inside the guide tube until the writing end is protected inside the guide tube. The limits of travel are governed by the dimensions of the aperture when the connecting means contacts the edge of the aperture. Additional elements may include an upper pen body with a pocket retainer clip and internal position detents.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and thebenefit U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/790,328 filed Mar. 8, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to writing implements, and morespecifically to retracting, telescoping ball point pens and otherwriting apparatuses.

BACKGROUND

The use of retractable writing implements such as pens, mechanicalpencils and the like is well known and widely used. One beneficial formof retractable writing implement is the telescoping pen which has theadvantage of reducing the length of the pen when not being used, andthen easily extending the length while simultaneously exposing thewriting point for use. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,889 issued toKato (Nov. 5, 1982) discloses a telescoping pen employing, among a largenumber of components, a coil spring. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,627issued to Muttersinker et al. (Aug. 14, 2001) discloses an expandablepen which extends the writing tip when the pen body is extended.However, the device also requires a coil spring and a large number ofother mechanical parts, increasing the cost of manufacture, and reducinglifespan and reliability.

A published U.S. Patent application (no. 2011/0129285 by Liu et al.)discloses a retractable pen that simultaneously telescopes in length andextends or retracts the writing point, but this invention also employs aspring and has a large number of parts. The cost of manufacturing pensis highly dependent on the number of components and complexity.Moreover, the use of a coil spring not only adds cost but is subject torusting and corrosion, shortening the life and reducing reliability ofthe writing device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,881 issued to Rubens May 12, 1981 attempts toaddress the high cost and lower reliability of using a spring in awriting implement, but does not disclose a telescoping device, merely aretracting pen having more than one ink cartridge. No one has previouslydisclosed a telescoping writing implement that extends and contractswhile simultaneously exposing and retracting the writing point, withoutthe use of a spring mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,518,128 issued to Dufilho (Oct. 14, 1927) discloses aspring-less telescoping pen or pencil having gradations and at least onenon-round side, but it does not provide for retracting the writing pointinside a protective body.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,571,830 issued to Buell (Jan. 2, 1948) discloses atelescoping mechanical pencil in which relative movement of two pencilbodies advances the writing lead. However, the telescoping mechanismdoes not shorten the overall length, does not move the writing tip backinto the pencil body and, further, requires a spring.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,087,841 issued to Liu Jan. 3, 2012) discloses aretractable pen with an extending pen body. However, this inventionrequires a large number of individual parts (18 individual parts aredisclosed), including a coil spring. The mechanism and its assembly arenecessarily complex, increasing the cost of manufacture and raising thenumber of potential points of failure.

There is also a need to reduce the diameter of pens to allow them to fitcertain applications such as inserting into writing tablet bindings, andto make them more convenient for certain users.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a telescoping penthat conveniently extends its length while simultaneously exposing thewriting end, and reducing its length while protectively storing itswriting end.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a telescopingpen apparatus that does not require a coil spring.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a telescopingpen with a minimum number of component parts, reducing cost ofmanufacture and increasing lifetime reliability.

It is a further object of the present invention to reduce the diameterof the pen body by eliminating internal components that requireexcessive lateral space.

SUMMARY

To fulfill the above objects, we hereby disclose a novel telescopingwriting device that exposes the writing point while simultaneouslyextending the length of the device, and stowing the writing point whilesimultaneously contracting the length of the device. This isaccomplished by mechanically connecting the outer body with the innerwriting body through an aperture in a guide means which is slidably fitinside the outer body. Moving the outer body down moves the innerwriting body down in relation to the guide means, pushing it out of astowage tube. A minimized number of individual parts are used,construction is simple and no coil spring is employed, resulting is acost savings, a higher degree of reliability and minimal pen diameter.

Definitions

To avoid confusion and ambiguity, and to aid in defining the scope ofthe invention claimed, as used herein, the following words will be giventhe construction denoted:

“Distal End” shall mean the end of the writing implement opposite theWriting End.

“Downward” shall mean in the direction toward the writing end.

“Upward” shall mean toward the Distal End of the writing implement.

“Writing Cartridge” shall mean any tubular writing, stylus or embossingcomponent such as ball point pen refill, writing lead, felt-tip peninsert or touch screen stylus.

“Writing End” shall mean the end of the writing implement used forwriting, drawing, embossing, or touching a surface such as atouch-sensitive screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing with cutaway detail of a ball point penembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a ball point pen embodiment of the presentinvention made with the minimized number of component parts.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a ball point pen embodiment of the presentinvention including an upper pen body.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view with cutaway detail of the ball point penembodiment of the present invention in the extended position.

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the ball point pen embodiment of thepresent invention in the contracted position.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view with cutaway detail of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention utilizing a metal exterior penhousing with an integral spring clip.

FIG. 5b is a perspective view with cutaway detail of an alternativeembodiment utilizing a plastic exterior pen housing having an integralplastic spring clip.

FIG. 6a is a perspective view with cutaway detail of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention using a spring clip fitted to theink refill.

FIG. 6b is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention using a spring clip fitted to the ink refill.

FIG. 7 is an exploded a view of an embodiment of an optional upperportion of the present invention having position selection detents.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a computer input stylus embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention utilizes a minimized number of parts tomanufacture a telescoping writing implement, typically a ball point pen.With this device we have eliminated the need for a coil spring and haveenabled the manufacture of the telescoping pen with as few as 4 to 6parts. The low part count significantly reduces manufacturing costs andimproves reliability.

FIG. 1 depicts the ballpoint pen 110 embodiment of the presentinvention. Here, a writing cartridge 114 is slidably inserted into aguide tube 118. The guide tube has an outwardly extending flange 120formed at its distal end. A groove (not visible in this view) is formedperipherally around the circumference of the writing cartridge. (SeeFIG. 3 for additional detail). An upper pen body 124 is slidably fit andinserted over the guide tube 118 from the writing end 126. By virtue ofa counterbore 128 formed inside the upper pen body, the upper pen bodyis stopped at the extended position as shown. At least one aperture iscut through the guide tube [not visible in this view]. A lower externalpen body 130 is slidably fit over the guide tube 118. A slot opening 134in the lower pen body 130 aligns with the aperture or apertures in theguide tube and the circumferential groove in the writing cartridge 114allowing a retaining clip 138 to be inserted and snap around the writingcartridge 114 through the aperture or apertures, mechanically connectingit to the lower external pen body 130. In this example, each tang of theU-shaped retaining clip 138 is inserted through each opposing apertureand engages the circumferential groove of the writing cartridge 114. Thedimensions of the opposing apertures determine the limit of movement ofthe writing cartridge 114 when moving the pen body in relation to theguide tube. The length of the opposing apertures should allow thewriting point to extend an adequate distance past the lower opening ofthe pen body to permit convenient writing, and retract an adequatedistance into the guide tube to protect it.

The U-shaped retaining clip 138, therefore, is a connecting meanssecuring the lower pen body 130 to the writing cartridge 114.

Movement of the lower external pen body 130 downward moves the writingcartridge 114 writing end 126 downward, exposing the writing end 126 outof the guide tube 118. Movement of the lower external pen body 130upward (toward the distal end 122), retracts the writing end 126 of thewriting cartridge 114 into the guide tube 118, while simultaneouslyshortening the overall length of the ballpoint pen. Additionally, whenthe external upper pen body 124 is moved toward the writing end 126, theoverall length the ball point pen is additionally shortened. Adequatefriction should be provided between the writing cartridge 114 and theguide tube 118 and/or between the lower external pen body 130 and theguide tube 118 to hold the pen in the open or closed positions for useor storage respectively, but allow convenient relative movement of thecomponent parts. This may be accomplished by a number of methods wellknown to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as crimping the guidetube 118 or slotting the writing end of the guide tube 118 so thatswaging the writing end of the external pen body 130 would compress theslotted end of the guide tube 118 against the writing cartridge 114. Anend cap 129 is inserted in the distal end of the upper pen body 124. Thepresent invention can be manufactured without the upper pen body 124,using the guide tube 118 as the functional upper portion of the pen (seeFIG. 2). However, it is considered beneficial to use an upper pen body124 as shown to make it easier and more comfortable to hold the pen 110when using it. It is further beneficial to incorporate a pocketretaining clip 132 as part of the upper pen body 124.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a ball point pen representing a simplifiedembodiment of the present invention made with the minimized number ofcomponent parts. A writing cartridge 214 is slidably inserted into aguide tube 218. The writing cartridge has a groove 219 formedcircumferentially around its perimeter. The guide tube 218 has opposingapertures 221 in its periphery. An external pen body 222 having a slotopening 223 in its perimeter is inserted over the guide tube 218. Theslot opening 223 and the opposing apertures 221 are aligned with thecircumferential groove 219 and a U-shaped retaining clip 224 is insertedthrough the slot opening 223 and the opposing apertures 221, engagingthe writing cartridge 214 in the circumferential groove 219. In thisexample, each tang of the U-shaped clip 224 is inserted into eachopposing aperture 221. As in FIG. 1, movement of the pen body 222downward moves the retaining clip 224, and thus the writing cartridge219 downward in relation to the guide tube 218. As described in FIG. 1,but more clearly visible in FIG. 2, the dimensions of the opposingapertures 221 determine the limit of movement of the writing cartridge214 when moving the pen body 222 in relation to the guide tube 218. Thelength of the opposing apertures 221 should allow the writing point 227to extend an adequate distance past the lower opening of the pen body topermit convenient writing, and retract an adequate distance into theguide tube 218 to protect it. It should be noted that the presentembodiment or the others disclosed here may be manufactured using asingle aperture 221 in the guide tube and a pin, single-prong clip orother interconnecting element in place of the U-shaped clip 224,engaging the writing cartridge 214 through the aperture. Such variationswould be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art and the disclosureof the U-shaped clip 224 is not intended to limit the scope of the meansof connecting the external pen body 222 to the writing cartridge 214which can be accomplished with a wide variety of alternative structureswell known in the industry.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view representing a ball point pen embodiment ofthe present invention including an upper pen body. In this example,identical to FIG. 1, fully illustrated is the assembly of thisembodiment. A writing cartridge 314 is slidably inserted into a guidetube 318. The guide tube 318 has a radially-formed outwardly extendingflange 319 at its distal end. A groove 320 is formed circumferentiallyaround the writing cartridge 314. An upper pen body 324 is slidably fitand inserted over the guide tube 318 from the guide tube's writing end326. By virtue of a counterbore 328 formed inside the upper external penbody 324, the upper pen body 324 is stopped at the extended positionwhen the guide tube's outwardly extending flange 319 engages the upperpen body's 324 counterbore 328. Opposing apertures 329 are cut throughthe guide tube 318. A lower external pen body 330 is slidably fit overthe guide tube 318. A slot opening 334 in the lower pen body 330 alignswith the opposing apertures in the guide tube and the circumferentialgroove 320 in the writing cartridge 314 allowing a U-shaped retainingclip 338 to be inserted through the slot opening 334 and each tang ofthe U-shaped clip 338 is inserted through each opposing aperture 329,snapping around and engaging the writing cartridge 314 within thecircumferential groove 320, mechanically connecting it to the lowerexternal pen body 330. Movement of the lower external pen body 330downward moves the writing cartridge 314 writing end 327 downward,exposing it out of the guide tube 318. Movement of the lower externalpen body 330 upward (toward the distal end 322), retracts the writingend 327 of the writing cartridge 314 into the guide tube 318, whilesimultaneously shortening the overall length of the ballpoint penassembly. Additionally, when the external upper pen body 324 is movedtoward the writing end 326, the overall length of the ball point pen isadditionally shortened.

The dimensions of the opposing apertures 329 determine the limit ofmovement of the writing cartridge 314 when moving the pen body 330 inrelation to the guide tube 318. Ideally the length of the opposingapertures 329 should allow the writing point 327 to extend an adequatedistance past the lower opening of the pen body 330 to permit convenientwriting, and retract an adequate distance into the guide tube 318 toprotect it. Adequate friction is provided between the pen body 330 andthe guide tube 318 and/or between the writing cartridge 314 and theguide tube 318 to hold the pen in the extended position or contractedposition for writing or storage receptively, but allow convenientrelative movement of the component parts. Methods and structures ofproviding friction may include crimping the guide tube 318 so as tocause it to rub against the writing cartridge 314, sizing the bore ofthe lower external pen body 330 to cause it to friction-fit with theguide tube 318 or inserting a spring element between the lower externalpen body 330 and the guide tube 318. Such means of providing adequatefriction, including a wide variety of alternative means, would beobvious to one of ordinary skill in the art and are not intended tolimit the scope of the patent.

An end cap 332 is inserted in the distal end of the upper pen body 324.It should be noted that the present embodiment or the others disclosedhere may be manufactured using a single aperture 329 in the guide tubeand a pin, screw, single-prong clip or other interconnecting element inplace of the U-shaped clip, engaging the writing cartridge 314 throughthe aperture. Such variations would be obvious to one of ordinary skillin the art.

FIG. 4a is a view of the ball point pen 400 a embodiment of the presentinvention in the extended position. The writing end of the writingcartridge 414 a is exposed, extended outside the guide tube 418 a andlower external pen body 430 a. The upper external pen body 432 a isextended to the stop formed by the outwardly extending flange 419 aformed in the distal end of the writing cartridge coming into contactwith the counterbore 428 a of the upper external pen body 432 a.

FIG. 4b is a view of the ball point pen 400 b embodiment of the presentinvention in the contracted position. The writing end of the writingcartridge 414 b is contracted inside the guide tube 418 b and lowerexternal pen body 430 b. The upper external pen body 432 b is contracteddownward along the guide tube 418 b shortening the overall length of thepen assembly 400 b.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view with cutaway detail of an embodiment ofthe present invention utilizing a metal lower external pen body 530 a.In contrast with the embodiment described in the above figures, aseparate clip to engage the writing cartridge 514 a is not used.Instead, a spring clip 524 a is formed as part of the metal lower penbody 530 a and becomes the connecting means to connect the external penbody 530 a with the writing cartridge 514 a. As in the previousexamples, the writing cartridge 514 a incorporates a circumferentialgroove 519 a into which the spring clip 524 a engages. When the lowerexternal pen body 530 a is pulled down toward the writing end, thespring clip 524 a draws the pen cartridge 514 a down the length of theaperture 521 a formed in the guide tube 518 a, extending it out of theguide tube. The spring clip 524 a may also be made as a separate partand fixed to the lower pen body 530 a by means well-known in the artsuch as welding, friction insertion or gluing. In all other respects,this embodiment is similar to the previously described embodiments.

FIG. 5b is a perspective view with cutaway detail of an alternativeembodiment utilizing a plastic exterior pen housing with an integralplastic spring clip. As in FIG. 5a , a separate clip is not needed as aconnecting means to mechanically connect the external pen body 530 b tothe writing cartridge 514 b. Instead, a spring clip 524 b is formed aspart of the plastic external pen body 530 b. The spring clip 524 bincorporates a protrusion 525 b which extends through an aperture 521 bin the guide tube 518 b and engages the circumferential groove 519 b inthe writing cartridge 514 b. Movement of the external pen body 530 b ina downward direction will move the writing cartridge 514 b downwarduntil the spring clip 524 b comes in contact with the lower edge of theaperture 521 b, causing the writing tip of the writing cartridge 514 bto protrude out of the guide tube 518 b.

Advantageously, this embodiment uses a reduced number of parts and canbe made with low-cost manufacturing methods. Additionally, since nospring steel is utilized, corrosion and rusting is eliminated. Bothembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b will also benefit from theaddition of an upper pen body such as illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6a is a perspective view with cutaway detail of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention using a spring clip 610 assemblypress-fit or otherwise attached to the writing cartridge 614. In thisembodiment of the present invention the spring clip 610 comprises atubular portion 616 with a protruding spring arm 618. The assemblycomprising the spring clip 610 attached to the writing cartridge 614 isinserted into a guide tube 620 containing an aperture 622 through whichthe protruding spring arm 618 protrudes. The guide tube 620 containingthe writing cartridge 614 with the spring clip 610 attached is insertedinto an external pen body 624. The external pen body 624 contains anindentation 626 in its inner wall configured to accept the end of theprotruding spring arm 618. When the external pen body 624 is drawndownward by the user its movement is stopped by the lower edge of theaperture 622 formed in the guide tube 620 and the movement extends thewriting end 628 of the writing cartridge 614 out of the guide tube 620.The guide tube 620 and external pen body 624 can be made of a variety ofmaterials including plastic or metal. The spring clip may also be madeof plastic but will be more resilient if made of metal. When the usermoves the pen body 624 upward (toward the distal end 625), the writingcartridge 614, by virtue of its connection to the pen body 624 via thespring clip 610, is drawn up into the guide tube 620. The length of themovement up into the guide tube 620 is determined by the dimensions ofthe aperture 622 as the movement is stopped by the upper edge of theaperture 622. A protruding spring arm 618 may be attached to the writingcartridge 614 in a variety of ways that will be well-known to oneskilled in the art such as press-fitting, spot welding or gluing.Moreover, the spring clip may be manufactured using either metal orplastic. An upper pen body is preferably added to this embodiment asmore fully described in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 a, 4 b, and 7, any of whichconfiguration is adaptable to this embodiment.

FIG. 6b is an exploded view of the embodiment described by FIG. 6a . Itmay be seen spring clip assembly 610 is affixed to the narrower lowerportion of the writing cartridge 614. The combined writing cartridge 614and spring clip assembly 610 is inserted into the distal end of theguide tube 620 until the spring clip arm 618 snaps into the aperture 622of the guide tube 620.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a pen embodiment of the present inventionhaving an optional upper portion with position selection detents. Inthis variation, a writing cartridge 714 is slidably inserted into aguide tube 718. As in FIG. 1, the guide tube has an outwardly extendingflange 720 formed at its distal end, but the flange 720 and distal endare slit longitudinally allowing the distal end to resiliently compress.

A groove 719 is formed circumferentially around the periphery of thewriting cartridge. An upper pen body 724 is slidably fit and insertedover the guide tube 718 from the writing end 726. The guide tube 718 islonger than the writing cartridge 714 to allow contraction of the pen.Invaginated detents 728 and 729 are formed inside the upper pen body. Asthe guide tube 718 moves within the upper pen body 724, the outwardlyextending compressible split flange 720 indexes into one of the detents728 or 729. A pair of opposing apertures 721 are formed through theguide tube 718. A lower external pen body 730 is slidably fit over theguide tube 718. A slot opening 734 in the lower pen body 730 aligns withthe opposing apertures 721 in the guide tube and the circumferentialgroove 719 in the writing cartridge 714 allowing each of the tangs ofthe U-shaped retaining clip 738 to be inserted through the slot opening734 and each of the opposing apertures 721, and snap around and engagewith the writing cartridge 714 within the circumferential groove 719,mechanically connecting it to the lower external pen body 730. Movementof the lower external pen body 730 downward moves the writing cartridge714 writing end 727 downward, exposing it out of the guide tube 718. Thecompressible flange 720 snaps into the lower detent 729 holding theapparatus in the open position for use. Movement of the lower externalpen body 730 upward (toward the distal end 722), retracts the writingend 727 of the writing cartridge 714 into the guide tube 718, whilesimultaneously shortening the overall length of the ballpoint pen. Thecompressible split flange 720 snaps into the upper detent 728 holdingthe apparatus in the retracted position for storage. Additionally, whenthe external upper pen body 724 is moved toward the writing end 727, theoverall length of the ball point pen is further shortened. An optionalend cap 726 is inserted in the distal end 722 of the upper pen body 724to exclude dirt.

FIG. 8 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention as a computerinput stylus. It may be seen that any of the embodiments shown hereinmay be adapted to a computer stylus or similar device with very littledeparture from the teachings herein. FIG. 8 is one such adaptation andis not intended to limit such adaptations to this embodiment or todedicate any obvious variations to the public.

Specifically, FIG. 8 depicts a computer interface (touch screen) stylus810 embodiment of the present invention. A stylus insert (the analog ofa writing cartridge disclosed herein) comprising a stylus shaft 814 anda stylus tip 815. The stylus shaft 814 is slidably inserted into a guidetube 818. The guide tube has an outwardly extending stop flange 820 atits distal end. A groove (not visible in this view) is formedcircumferentially around the stylus shaft along its length. An upperstylus body 824 is slidably fit and inserted over the guide tube 818from the writing end 815. By virtue of a counterbore 828 formed insidethe upper stylus body, the upper stylus body is stopped at the extendedposition as shown. As in the prior embodiments, opposing apertures (notvisible in this view) are cut through the guide tube 818. A lowerexternal stylus body 830 is slidably fit over the guide tube 818. A slotopening 834 in the lower stylus body 830 aligns with the opposingapertures in the guide tube 818 and the circumferential groove in thestylus shaft 814 allowing each of the 2 tangs of a U-shaped retainingclip 838 to be inserted through each of the opposing apertures in theguide tube 818 and snap around a circumferential groove in the stylusshaft 814, mechanically engaging the lower external stylus body 830.Movement of the lower external stylus body 830 downward moves the styluswriting end 815 downward, exposing it out of the guide tube 818 andlower external stylus body 830. Movement of the lower external stylusbody 830 upward (toward the distal end 822), retracts the writing end815 of the stylus insert 814 into the guide tube 818 and lower externalstylus body 830, while simultaneously shortening the overall length ofthe stylus 819. The amount of movement of the stylus shaft 814 islimited by the dimensions of the opposing apertures. Additionally, whenthe external upper stylus body 824 is moved toward the writing end 826,the overall length the stylus is additionally shortened. An end cap 828is inserted in the distal end of the upper stylus body 824. The presentinvention can be manufactured without the upper stylus body 824, usingthe guide tube 818 as the upper portion of the stylus. However, it isconsidered beneficial to use an upper stylus body 824 as shown to makeit easier and more comfortable to hold the stylus 810. It can bebeneficial to incorporate a pocket retaining clip 832 as part of theupper stylus body 824. Similarly, a stylus insert may be substituted forthe writing cartridge in any of the foregoing embodiments. As discussedabove, it should be noted that a single aperture may be used in the sideof the guide tube 818 to permit a single-prong clip, pin or similardevice to engage the stylus. For example, a screw or pin may be insertedinto the stylus shaft 814 through a hole in the external stylus body 830and the aperture [not visible] in the stylus shaft 814.

The specific implementations disclosed above are by way of example andfor enabling persons skilled in the art to implement the invention only.We have made every effort to describe all the embodiments we haveforeseen. There may be embodiments that are unforeseeable or which areinsubstantially different. We have further made every effort to describethe invention, including the best mode of practicing it. Any omission ofany variation of the invention disclosed is not intended to dedicatesuch variation to the public, and all unforeseen or insubstantialvariations are intended to be covered by the claims appended hereto.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except by the appendedclaims and legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A telescoping writing implement that telescopesfrom a shortened configuration to a lengthened configuration comprising:a writing cartridge having a writing tip; a least one outer pen body; aguide tube disposed circumferentially around the writing cartridge, theguide tube configured with the writing tip within the guide tube whenthe writing implement is in the shortened configuration and the writingtip exposed from the guide tube when the writing implement is in thelengthened configuration; and a retaining member engaging the writingcartridge and the retaining member also engaging or formed from theouter pen body, the engagement of the retaining member to the writingcartridge causing the writing tip to be exposed from the guide tube whenthe writing implement is in the lengthened configuration.
 2. Thetelescoping writing implement of claim 1 wherein the writing cartridgeis a ball point pen ink cartridge.
 3. The telescoping writing implementof claim 1 wherein the writing cartridge is a computer interface stylus.4. The telescoping writing apparatus of claim 1 further comprisingdetent means in or part of the external pen body, detent meansconfigured to assist in holding the telescoping writing apparatus in theopen or closed positions.
 5. A telescoping writing apparatus comprising:a writing cartridge having a peripheral indentation and a writing tip; aguide tube surrounding the writing cartridge, the guide tube furtherhaving at least one peripheral aperture; an upper external pen bodyhaving first detent means and second detent means; a lower external penbody, the lower external pen body movably fit over the guide tube, thelower external pen body having an opening at an end opposing the upperexternal pen body, through which the writing tip is selectively exposed;a retainer device, engaging the peripheral indentation in the pencartridge such that movement of the lower external pen bodylongitudinally along the guide tube moves the pen cartridge within theguide tube to expose the writing tip by virtue of the retainer deviceengaging the lower external pen body to the pen cartridge and the firstdetents means and the second detent means are configured to cooperate tohold the telescoping writing apparatus in the open or closed positions.6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the guide tube further comprises anoutwardly-extending flange at one end.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5further comprising a cap, the cap inserted into the upper external penbody.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein movement of the lower externalpen body toward the upper external pen body moves the writing tip of thepen cartridge to a retracted position within the guide tube, andmovement of the lower external pen body away from the upper external penbody exposes the writing tip of the pen cartridge.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein the upper external pen body is fit over the guide tube.10. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a pocket retaining clip.11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the writing cartridge is a computerinput stylus.
 12. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the writing cartridgeis a felt tip pen.
 13. A telescoping writing apparatus comprising: awriting cartridge, the cartridge further comprising a peripheralindentation and a writing tip; a guide tube surrounding the writingcartridge, the guide tube further comprising at least one peripheralaperture; an upper external pen body; a lower external pen body, whereineither or both of the lower external pen body and the upper external penbody are movably fit over the guide tube, the lower external pen body orthe upper external pen body further comprising at least one peripheralaperture and the lower external pen body having an opening, at an endopposing the upper external pen body, through which the writing tip isselectively exposed; a retainer device, the retainer device insertedthrough the at least one peripheral aperture in the lower external penbody or the upper pen body, and into the peripheral indentation in thepen cartridge wherein movement of the lower external pen body or theupper external pen body longitudinally along the guide tube moves thepen cartridge within the guide tube to expose the writing tip by virtueof the retainer device mechanically engaging the lower external pen bodyto the pen cartridge.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the guidetube further comprises an outwardly-extending flange at one end.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 13 further comprising a cap, the cap inserted intothe upper external pen body.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 whereinmovement of the lower external pen body toward the upper external penbody moves the writing tip of the pen cartridge to a retracted positionwithin the guide tube, and movement of the lower external pen body awayfrom the upper external pen body exposes the writing tip of the pencartridge.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising femaledetent means in the external pen body and male detent means incorporatedinto the guide tube, the detents assisting in holding the telescopingwriting apparatus in the open or closed positions.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein the upper external pen body is fit over the guide tube.19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the writing cartridge is acomputer input stylus.